A Christmas Miracle for the Rancher: A Historical Western Romance Novel

by Etta Foster

  Richard swallowed as he forced his way into the room. “Please put it down,” he tried to be polite. “It belongs on the table and shouldn’t be moved.”

  Luanne glanced away from him to look at the rock. His heart jumped when she tossed it into the air and then caught it. “This? It’s just a rock.” Then she laughed. “Rocks belong outside, you know.”

  “That’s not the point,” he shook his head. Gripping the armrests tightly, he couldn’t help but scowl. It had been a rough enough day and she didn’t need to be mocking him. “I asked you kindly, ma’am.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Aw, what a gentleman. What’s the point of this? It’s not even a gemstone. Why would you bother with keeping this inside?”

  “That’s none of your business,” he cleared his throat. “I’ve asked you enough times, so please put it where it belongs.”

  The young woman tossed it again in the air before she turned to the table. She floated the rock around as she goaded him. “Does it go here? Or was it here? Maybe an inch to the left?”

  Though Richard pushed the wheelchair over to get closer, there was the table in the way. He could hardly squeeze between the two chairs before the table.

  They were on opposite ends of the room.

  Last week, he could have walked right over there to her. Now, he had no idea how to reach her.

  But Richard felt certain that were he not in the chair, she wouldn’t be treating him this way. Though she might not be that much more respectful, she wouldn’t be teasing him like she did now.

  His stomach clenched in distaste, unable to believe that she would be do disrespectful and arrogant.

  “I asked you kindly!” He couldn’t help but raise his voice an octave. “This is my house, and that is my property. I will not ask you again, Luanne. It’s not yours.”

  Luanne called out in a loud and terrible tone, “You’re just being a child.” As if she wasn’t talking about herself with her hands on her hips. “If you want it, come and get it.”

  Something flared within him. He gripped the armrests as hard as he could, but there was nothing they could do. Richard’s chest heaved as he glared at her and gestured to the table.

  “Luanne! Put it down this instant.”

  “Oh right,” she laughed cruelly. “You can’t come and get it, can you?

  “Look at you in that chair. You wish you could slap me, don’t you? But you can’t. Because you’re nothing. I can’t believe my sister won’t let us leave already. It’s not like she’ll ever marry you. You’re just a cripple.”

  He could hardly breathe because he was so angry. His gut tightened and he wanted nothing more than to tear the room apart. To rip it to shreds and throw everything out the window.

  Why did they have so much furniture in there? Why had Luanne come all this way only to do everything she could to make him angry?

  Richard told her that she had no right to act that way in his house. Everything was his and not hers.

  His heart pounded as he watched her hand with the rock in it, worried that it would disappear. He didn’t want to lose something that reminded him so much of his mother.

  Because he was so focused on the rock, he didn’t notice Louise until she said something.

  Her face was pale though her nose was red. She must have been outside. Richard noticed that absently as he stared at her for a moment. Louise wouldn’t have acted like her sister had to him. At least, he hoped she wouldn’t have.

  But now, anything was possible.

  Luanne was right about one thing. Her sister wasn’t going to marry a cripple.

  Richard forgot about the rock, unwilling to be seen by Louise anymore. Not like this.

  His chest still heaving, he forced himself out of the room and down the hall. He wheeled himself as quickly as he could to his open door. It wasn’t very fast, but no one followed him.

  Too annoyed to just sit there and do nothing, Richard moved himself in the chair back and forth as he caught his breath. His head hurt and he tried to think about what had just happened.

  Chapter 18

  The cozy sensation of hiding away from the world within her blankets felt just like old times.

  Louise had kicked off her shoes and then slipped under her blankets. She tucked them over her head but left a small opening for the natural light in the room to peak through.

  Using that, she blindly organized the letters into a neat pile. Then she picked one up and slowly opened it.

  Her father had meant well even with his strict standards. She knew that.

  But there were certain things they had disagreed on and knowing she couldn’t be wrong about reading because of how happy it made her, she had spent years smuggling all types of reading material under her blankets.

  The only thing missing was hearing her father grumble across their little house, complaining about everything and nothing.

  But Louise was glad that all was quiet. She wasn’t certain how much more she could take of her day with all the chaos and noise.

  All she wanted was to be in a place where everyone was free to do as they wished and got along with one another. And yet that’s not where she was even after all of her efforts.

  When the blanket drooped across her face, she twitched her nose and wiggled around to prevent that from happening again. She lay on her side and returned to the letter.

  ‘To my Reader Louise,

  That is a very large list of books you have read. You must be a voracious reader.

  “I enjoyed your thoughts about Shakespeare’s sonnets and would love to hear what you think of his histories. Those are my favorite, for they address the manner of how people should and should not act.

  “Mostly the latter.

  “I must agree upon your concerns for education. As you may imagine, being out in the wild provides even less schooling, if you’ll pardon the comparison without proof.

  “Fortunately for myself, my parents were avid readers like yourself. When they bought this land, they carried more books than anything else.

  “I’m not certain how they survived. But I am proof that they did for that time.

  “They passed away some years ago. I tell you this now because I believe certain truths should be shared upon an introduction such as ours.

  “This is my third letter to you and while I’m still unclear of everything I should write, I do know I desire to be honest with you - more than anything.

  “My parents left my brother and I a good home with a large ranch in the valley. It may look nothing like a city, but the view is magnificent.

  “If you are ever able to travel this way, I will show you how beautiful the wilderness can be. Not only is it colorful in the spring, but it is glorious in the winter and wonderful in the autumn.

  “The summer is only average, so do not come then.

  “As I believe I mentioned in my second letter, Jacob is my younger brother. We live here in this large house with Mrs. Pennyworth. She is our housekeeper.

  There isn’t that much work for her to do always, but she keeps herself busy and keeps us fed. She used to travel here from town but after our parents passed, I invited her to join us.

  “We could use the company and I always worried for her safety.

  “I think she would like you. And my brother, Jacob. You sound both intelligent and kind in your letters.

  “I cannot help but already look forward to your response. There is much about you that I would still like to learn.

  “Did you enjoy your studies as a child? How is it growing up with two sisters? What does Louisiana look like in the spring?

  “And I believe we are on friendly enough terms for me to ask if it is the state you were named after? You know I must have noted that by now.

  “But of course, if you wish not to answer, I will respect your choices.

  “I only hope you will take up the tedious task to write me again. Letter writing is not my forte, but I am willing to put in the effort if you will have me.

>   “Until next time, Richard.”

  That was one of her favorite letters. Louise rubbed at her eyes as she was torn between laughing and tearing up. She had giggled for days upon receiving that letter.

  She could hear his humor in his words between the gentleness. There was something about the man that struck her with the desire to meet him.

  It was then that Louise supposed that perhaps a marriage like this could work. That she could go off and marry someone who she had yet to meet.

  If he was anything like the manner in which he wrote his letters, Louise was certain she would have a happy life.

  “And yet,” she murmured to herself. She sniffled and set the letter down to read another.

  The more she read, the more Louise grew bewildered.

  Richard had been so cheerful in his letters. Even in speaking of his past hardships, he had been optimistic and grateful for the opportunities to grow.

  Now, she wondered where all of that had gone. Richard’s joy was gone. She couldn’t even feel the adoration she had felt certain she had for the man any longer. In the last couple of days, everything had changed.

  And she didn’t like it.

  Louise worked through two more letters before she returned to that first one. It might have been one of her favorites.

  She devoured the words, craving the feelings that had struck her the first time she had ever read the letter. If only she could go back to that day and relive the thrill that had run up and down her spine.

  She was brushing a finger against his signature when there was a knock at her door.

  Louise paused. The letter was set down carefully and she peaked her face out of the blankets.

  It didn’t sound like Mrs. Pennyworth. The woman would have called out her name or immediately peaked her head in. The housekeeper wasn’t very patient.

  But it wasn’t Mrs. Pennyworth.

  Another knock. “Louise, I know you’re in there.”

  A breath escaped her lips before she remembered how annoyed she was at her sister. Shifting in the bed, she turned towards the door and reluctantly called out.

  “Come in then,” she said.

  Luanne opened the door, leaning against it as she appeared. She wore her dramatic pout before she sighed and rolled her shoulder. “I was wondering if you were crying.”

  “What would you have done if I was?” Louise furrowed her brow.

  As comforting as it was to have a familiar face so far from home, it wasn’t doing much to bring a smile to her face. She couldn’t remember the last time Luanne had comforted her.

  Sure enough, her older sister shrugged. “I don’t know. But I wouldn’t blame you. I know that much. After all, you did end up here. With him.”

  Louise slowly sat up.

  Peering up at her sister, she rolled back the blankets to sit up but made sure to hide the letters. She didn’t want anyone else reading them.

  That gave her a minute to collect her thoughts as she considered what her sister had just said. How she had ended up there with him.

  Louise supposed Luanne meant Richard.

  “What do you mean?” she asked finally, not looking to play games.

  Luanne wrinkled her nose. “You certainly have bad luck. Coming out here in the middle of nowhere to find a handsome man only for him to suddenly be trapped in a ridiculous chair.”

  “That’s not a nice thing to say,” Louise frowned. “Luanne, please.”

  Her sister put her hands up in defense. “What? I’m only saying. I just think it’s funny. You thought you’d what, ride into the sunset like all your silly little stories end? What did you expect?”

  “I expected a pleasant trip with my sister,” Louise countered calmly.

  She had never liked to be teased. In the last couple of years or so, Luanne had really turned her attitude up a notch. Once, it was playful. Now, there was a pit forming in her stomach.

  She sighed and shook her head. “Just say whatever it is you want to. Then let me be.”

  Luanne sighed loudly once more. “Just think of it. You’ll be able to sit on his lap whenever you like. Only I suppose you’ll need to be reaching for the high shelves. Perhaps Father will give you a stepping stool for your wedding?”

  “Is that all?” Louise smiled tightly. “Any short jokes? Unmanly jokes?”

  Her sister scoffed. “You’re so grumpy these days. But I suppose you never could take a joke. That’ll make your relationship difficult, won’t it? It’s hard to keep a light heart when you’re marrying a cripple.”

  Louise bit her tongue and tried to remain calm. “Please, Luanne. That’s a cruel word.”

  “It’s just a shame, that’s all I’m saying. You’re going to marry a cripple. I can tell.

  “You would stay here and marry him even after what just happened. After his fall and after he shouted at me. He’s a cripple now and he will always be a cripple.

  “He can’t ever do anything again. Why, he’ll never even be able to take a walk with you outside or anything.”

  She refused to deal with this anymore. Louise didn’t care what Luanne must be going through to act in such a manner. But she had to stop.

  Louise climbed out of bed and crossed her arms. “I’m done talking to you. Leave or I will make you!”

  After a groan and a roll of her eyes, Luanne grudgingly obeyed. She closed the door as she left while muttering something under her breath about attitudes.

  Louise didn’t care. She was done with her sister for the time being.

  She needed time alone and away from everyone to think and come to her senses. Returning to her bed, her eyes caught sight of the letters peeking out from the blankets.

  Louise could still remember the rush of butterflies she would get upon receiving every letter. Everything Richard had written would make her smile.

  Climbing back onto the mattress, she couldn’t help the niggling doubt that Luanne might be right.

  It was perfectly reasonable that Richard would forever be in his chair.

  Would she marry him? Upon her arrival, she was ready. But lately, she wasn’t so certain. Not with the way he had treated her. Her heart pounded at the thought of marrying a man who could never be able to do anything with her.

  “No,” she told herself adamantly. “No. You don’t know what might happen.

  “You can’t know the future. Perhaps he will walk again. Even if he doesn’t, that doesn’t mean it’s the end of his life. There is still so much one could do. There has to be.”

  As she picked up the letter on top and slowly reread her favorite letter, her eyes paused on one section. He had talked about showing her around the ranch. And that’s what they had started out doing upon her arrival.

  He had to be able to still go outside. An idea came to mind and she straightened up.

  Slowly the idea began to build within her.

  It was a tricky idea. But Louise believed it could work. The pieces came together so perfectly that it had to be possible. Richard would have to be cheered up with it.

  The only problem was that it meant she would have to talk to Jacob.

  Chapter 19

  Pulling his jacket tighter around him, Jacob glanced around warily before returning his attention to the fence.

  One of the posts had grown loose and was knocked aside by one of the cattle. Though he couldn’t prove it, such a matter had happened before.

  All it needed was another hole dug and better mud support to fix the problem.

  Work was usually a helpful distraction from everything happening up at the ranch house.

  He could focus on what he could control and use his time effectively. Jacob knew he could make a difference in that matter and get the work done.

  Especially if this meant Richard would no longer be able to do his share.

  Jacob couldn’t help but find it ironic. Yes, his brother was a cripple who could no longer stand or do much of anything on his own any longer.

  It severely limited his opport
unities for work and societal interaction.

  But that meant Jacob had to pick up the slack.

  He shook his head. Life was never going to be perfect. That much had been made clear every year that Richard had received new gifts for Christmas, and he had received the used materials because he was smaller.

  But not anymore.